Data presented by the Centre to the court last week show that the country’s captive elephant population has risen by 50 since the last census in 2019, while figures for privately owned elephants, circuses and temples remain unchanged. The Supreme Court’s concern over the upkeep and healthcare of captive elephants is well founded.
The note records the proceedings of the sixth meeting of the CEHWC, held in February this year. However, a closer scrutiny of the data in the note does not support this total. The top court directed the Centre to issue mandatory guidelines for establishing elephant clinics offering specialised services for the welfare of captive elephants. The CEHWC has also been directed to prescribe minimum standards for the housing, healthcare and upkeep of elephants in captivity. The court has clarified that its present concern is not ownership of captive elephants, but their upkeep, well-being and healthcare — issues central to the petition before it.
There were 2,675 captive elephants in 2019, a figure that has now risen to 2,725, according to a note submitted by the MoEFCC to the court. The matter will next be heard on October 29.
